Who should decide?

More than 40 percent of Pennsylvania's school districts will be allowed to increase property taxes above the inflation rate without seeking voters' approval.

The state Education Department has granted exceptions to the referendum requirements to 210 of the state's 501 school districts.

Those school boards which did not receive exceptions and want to have larger tax increases must get voter approval. No schools in Somerset County applied for the exception.

But that brings up the question if the voters are actually the people who should be making this decision. What voter, if given the opportunity, would approve a tax increase. Especially if the voter doesn't have school-age children.

The school board members, elected officials, are those who are best able to decide if taxes should be raised. They are the ones who know their expenses.